Improvement in processes and apparatus for canning fruits, vegetables



W. AWIcKS-i, PROCESS AND APPARATUS FDR CANNING FRUITS,

VEGETABLES, &c. v

' .P atentved July 3-, 1877.

N- FETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRKPHER. WASHINGYC'NY D. UL

mrEDfSrA- E-s @WILLIAMA. WIGKS, 0 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT m Pnocrssts AND APPARATUS FOR .CIANNINGVFRUIIS, vEeETABLEs-tc- V Specificationforming part of Letters Patent NoJ92,803, dated:July 3, 1877papplicat-ionhfiled Ap'ril12,1876.

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that =I, WILLIAM AfWwKs,

of thecityof Baltimore and State -of 'Marylan d,have"invented a certain new and useful Process'for (Banning Fruits, Vegetables, 860., togetherwith the apparatus forcarrying out the same, of which process and apparatus" the following is'a specification; and I do hereby declare that inthesame-is contained a full, clear, and exact descriptionof my said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,-and-to the'letters of reference pany them, and fill the spaces existing between the pieces or integral parts of the same; and, secondly, to the apparatus used in the said process, as hereinafter fully described.

, The cans generally employed in the packing and preserving of hermetically sealed goods are of two kinds, known as closed-top and opentop cans, the former having central filling-apertures which are closed with caps, and the latter being those in which the goods are packed before the insertion of the head and the fastening of the same to the body of the can. In the latter case vents are formed in the heads to admit of the introduction of the liquid to the cans, and to allow of the escape of steam or air during the filling process.

The difiiculty experienced in packing goods in open-top cans consists, principally, in securing the heads in a perfectly air and water tight manner after the liquid is added to the solid portions of the filling, as in the handling of the filled cans the edges thereof, to which the heads are to be soldered, become besmeared with the liquid from the inside.

This objection to the employment of opentop cans is obviated by my improved process, which is as follows: The cans are first filled with the solid 1 portions of the goods to be packed, and the heads which are vented, soldered to the bodies. The cans are then placed in suitable apparatus, hereinafter described, and the liquid admitted thereto under pressure by means of the central vent, a

embodies the second nying drawing," in which-' sideventallowi-ng the-escape of steam and the side ven't, atlwhich time the cans are re-- moved, and may now be 'subjected'to theiusual preservingprocess.

When-ccapped' enclosed-top cans are used the process of' filling is the-same "but the advantages resulting therefromarenot as apparent. A

In the following description of the apparatus use'd in the foregoing process, andwhich part of my invention, due reference "shouldlbe had' to the accompa- Figure 1 is a side View of my improved apparatus, parts thereof being shown in sections; Fig. 2, a vertical cross-section of the same, and Fig.3 a plan of the invention, also partly in section.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts of the invention in all the views.

A is a frame, between the sides of which is adapted to slide vertically a drip-pan, B, having a spout, h, and operated, preferably, by means of a treadle, O. The upper part of the drip-pan is constructed to receive and hold securely the tray D, in which the cans to be filled are placed.

The proper spacing of the cans in the tray is secured by means of projecting rings a, in which the cans rest.

E is a reservoir for the liquid, located at the upper part of the frame A. and connected,

by the pipe b, to a tank, F, situated either above or below the reservoir. When the tank is placed above the reservoir, the column of liquid may give the desired pressure within the reservoir; but when located below the reservoir, compressed 'air, steam, or other elastic fluid at a moderate tension, is employed, and admitted to the upper portion of the tank through the pipe 0. In the latter case the pipe b extends to near the bottom of the tank, in order that the said tank may be completely emptied of its contents. When it is desired to heat the liquid in the tank F, steam. is admitted from a boiler to the coil G.

The reservoir E is provided with a series of discharge-pipes, H, equal in number to that of the cans to be filled at one operation, which pipes are provid ed with flexible ends or gaskets d, to form a close joint when the can-heads are brought in contact therewith. The pipes are also provided with valves 0 at their lower ends, with projections extending downwardly therefrom, which come in contact with the canheads as they are elevated, and thereby cause the valves to open and allow the liquid to flow. A stop-cock, f, is placed in some part of the apparatus, between the tank and the cans,

' by means of which the flow of the liquid is mainly regulated, the valves before described being principally designed to prevent the emptying, or partialemptying, of the reservoir after the closing of the stop-cock and the withdrawal of the cans from contact with the p p I The advantages derived from the use of my invention are apparent, when it is considered that the loss of material by punching out the cap-openings, and supplying the caps from other sheets of tin, is avoided, as in my invention the minute opening through which the liquid is forced under pressure into the can is readily closed with a drop of solder, whichbridges the hole without the intervention of a piece of tin.

The saving of solder usually required in soldering in the cap is therefore seen to be effected by the use'of my invention, together with the time ordinarily required in uniting the cap and can.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and wish 'to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is q 1. In the filling of food-cans, the process of supplying the liquid accompanying the solid portion of the food to the cans by forcing the said liquid, under pressure, into the can through a minute opening, which is afterward closed by a drop of solder, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the pipe I), through which the liquid is forced under pressure,

cock f, reservoir E, series of discharge-pipes H, and flexible ends or gaskets d, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

3. The discharge-pipes H, combined with flexible ends or gaskets d, and stop-valves e, substantially as and for the 'purpose described.

4. The frame A and vertically-sliding drippan B, provided with the spout h, combined with the tray D, having seats to receive the cans, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 27th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1876.

. WILLIAM A. WIOKS.

Witnesses W. W. ,WHARTON, LLOYD SLEMMER. 

